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PORTUGAL, COMPETITIVE GOLF DESTINATION

The National Strategic Plan for Tourism has defined golf as one of the 10 key products that should underpin the development strategy for the Portuguese tourism industry.

In this context, Turismo de Portugal, IP is currently organising the 1st International Conference: “Portugal, a Competitive Golf Destination” that aims to address the issues of golf course management and design and promotion of a golf destination, associating Portuguese case-studies to international case-studies of recognized merit.

The conference is aimed at businessmen, investors, managers and other players in the golf industry, together with public and private bodies connected to the sector's value chain.
5 JUNE   

08:30 - Reception of participants (Accreditations)

09:30 - Opening session

  • Secretary of State for Tourism - Bernardo Trindade
  • Chairman of Turismo de Portugal, IP - Luís Patrão
  • Chairman of the Installation Committee of the Tourism Regional Authority for the Oeste Tourism Pole - António Carneiro
  • Chairman of Portuguese Golf Federation - Manuel Agrellos
  • The Mayor of Óbidos - Telmo Faria

Session 1 – Golf Course Design: contributions to creating a distinctive experience

Discussion of aspects related to golf course design and the commercialisation of real estate ventures associated to this theme. What kind of golf courses should be designed in Portugal? What distinguishes the Portuguese offer of golf courses, in comparison with competing destinations? How important is the choice of the architect and how does it influence the design of the golf course?

Speeches:

10:00 - Severiano Ballesteros (Golf Designer)
10:30 - Bob Hunt (Golf Designer and Managing Director of PGA Design Consulting)
11:00 - Coffee Break
11:30 - Debate Panel – Presentation of case-studies

Debate Moderator: Fernando Nunes Pedro (NPGolf- Consultant)

  • Oitavos Dunes- Luis Silvério (Chairman of the Board of Directors of Oitavos Dunes- Quinta da Marinha) and Drew Rogers (Senior Design Partner of Arthur Hills, Steve Forrest and associates)
  • Monte Rei Golf & Country Club- Salvador B. de Lucena (Managing Director of Monte Rei Golf & Country Club)
  • Porto Santo Golf- Francisco Taboada (Chairman of the Board of Porto Santo Golf)

13.00 – Lunch

Session 2 – Golf Course Management – Key Success Factors for a Course's Sustainability

Presentation of innovative experiences and good golf course management practices - focusing upon sustainability and questions related to promotion of Quality.


Speeches:
14:30 - PROMOTUR- Promoters Association of Residential Tourism and Sports in Andalusia- Ramón Dávila Guerrero (President)
15:00 - Mackenzie & Ebert, Ltd- International Golf Course Architects - Martin Ebert
15:30 - Coffee Break

16:00 - Debate Panel – presentation of case studies

Debate Moderator: António Carmona Santos (Portuguese Association of Golf Managers)

  • SGS Portugal- Luis Barrinha (Certification Director for the Environmental and Safety area)
  • Portuguese Greenkeepers Association - Simão da Cunha
  • Castro Marim Golfe- Dick Lavoo (Managing Director of Castro Marim Golfe) and Luis Fialho (Construction Director of the golf course)

18:00 - Study Presentation: Good Environmental Practices for Golf Courses

Maria da Graça Saraiva- Assistant at the Minister of Environment, Territorial Planning and Regional Development

18:20 - Presentation of the Golf Platform of the University of Algarve - Provision of Services and Applied Research

João Mil-Homens - University of the Algarve
6 JUNE   

Session 3 – Promotion of a Golf Destination

Analysis of the main aspects that contribute to promotion and development of golf destinations, focusing on the role of major golf events in order to promote Portugal as a golf destination, the contribution of associations and the dynamics of specialised golf operators. Presentation of questions related to “classification” of golf courses.

Speeches:

09:00 - Swedish PGA - Mats Enquist (Member of the Board of the Swedish Professional Golf Association and former Secretary General and CEO of the Swedish Golf Federation -2001-2008)
09:30 - PGA European Tour- Peter Adams (Director of International Championships)
10:00 - Peugeot Golf Guide- Kristel Mourgue d’Algue (General Manager)
10:30 - Coffee Break
11:00 - Debate Panel – Presentation of case-studies

Debate Moderator: Manuel Agrellos (Golfmark- Journalist)

  • Bill Goff Golf Tours- Tour Operator- Paul Challen (Chairman)
  • Lisboa Golf Coast- Benjamin Oosterveer (Golf Product Manager)
  • CNIG –National Golf Industry Council- Diogo Gaspar Ferreira (Chief Executive Officer)
12:30 - Closing session
Managing Director of Oceânico Golf, SA - Christopher Stillwell
Chairman of Turismo de Portugal, I.P. - Luis Patrão

14:30 - Golf Clinic and Golf Tournament (Organised by the ex-Oeste Tourism Region)